it is worth consideration to reflect on the great threatnings denounced against such vanity and superfluity by the Prophet Isaiah especially against the Pride of Women The Lord shall smite them with a scab and discover their secret parts and take away all their bravery and their round tires like the Moon the changeable suits of Aparrel the Mantles Wimples and Crisping Pins the Glasses fine Linnen Hoods and Vails instead of a sweet smell there shall be a stench instead of a girdle a rent instead of well set Hair Baldness instead of a Stomacher a Girdle of Sackcloath and burning instead of Beauty Is 3.16 to end This being one great Idol of the flesh and our shame let us see how this Lust of the flesh is compensed to the godly and glorified Believers First for that all their Sins and consequently their shame are taken away in Christ Jesus For as in Adam all died even so are all made alive in Christ 1 Cor. 15.22 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life Joh. 3.16 Fear thou not for thou shalt not be ashamed neither shalt thou be confounded for thou shalt not be put to shame thou shalt forget the shame oâ— thy youth and shalt not remember the Reproach of thy Widow-hood any more for thy Maker is thy Husband Isa 54.4 The Saints of God have the rotten Garments exchanged with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and have made themselves white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 7.14 Thus the Saints of God as Inhabitants of the New Jerusalem being Cloathed with the Righteousness of Christ are cleansed from all sin and shame and so have no necessity of Cloaths to cover sin or shame Secondly the Saints have no occasion for Cloaths to Comfort the weakness of their Bodies for that when raised from the Dead they shall not have Corrupt Bodies of Corruptible Elements but shall be Clothed with Spiritual and Incorruptible Bodies not subject to change nor tainted with infirmities of Nature Hunger or Cold Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption for this Corruptible must put on Incorruption and this Mortal must put on immortality 1 Cor. 15.50 52 53. So that they shall have no occasion of the Corruptible Rags of most Sumptuous Apparel how much then have the Saints translated into glory the Advantage over such whose Earthy and Crasy Corps must be Clothed with rotteâ— Garments to cover their shame sin and nakedness and defend their infirm Bodies from offence of Cold and Heat of which the Saints are not sensible Secondly Eating and Drinking being the second Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh it is so gross a predominant and necessity of Nature and weak Mortality that it is not only the peculiar Resemblance of Bruits beneath the Dignity of Mans Soul and as it is the necessity of Nature so it is the great burden of Nature to be under that necessity that some Sensualists of whom the Apostle saith whose God is their Belly whose glory is their shame who mind Earthly things and Human Experience tells us how far this Tyranny upon Man so prevails that their luxuriant Appetite never suffer them to be at ease but either after the quantity or variety of eating and drinking they are hurryed with further desire and thereby often miserably loaded with hurtful diseases thus delicate Mortals are plunged in misery by that they so much delight in this was the Case of the Rich Glutton in the Gospel but on the other hand the Saints in Heaven are not Afflicted with troublesom Appetites for they feed on the Manna in the midst of the Paradise of God for they shall Hunger no more nor Thirst any more for the Lamb shall feed them and lead them to living Fountains of Water Rev. 21.4 6. their feeding is their Eternal beholding God and the Lamb but the Wicked feeds on the Eternal Wrath of God if any Man Worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark on his Forehead or in his Hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out into the Cup of his Indignation and he shall be Tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb Rev. 14.9 10. Thirdly The third Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh is that insatiable Appetite the World hath after the Riches of this Life what hath already been said of the uncertainty emptiness and vanities of Human Riches in the foregoing case of the Rich Glutton and the many Instances of that Nature may give the Complexion of that State and what Christ saith of the Rich Man that it is hard for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and that the Rich have received their Consolation and Portion in this Life do all sufficiently illustrate the Contemptibleness and Misery of that Life if not rich towards God but on the other Hand Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God Mat. 5.3 Christians though never so poor in this World have all things in Christ They are Sons and Heirs of God and joynt Heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 32. all which shew how far the State of the Godly though Poor in this Life exceed the Condition of the wicked though rich as Craesus if not rich towards God Fourthly the fourth Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh is the pleasure Men in this World take in Relations Friends and Companions but what is said before of this what Christ saith who loveth Father Children Relations Life it self or any thing else better than him is not worthy of him and whosoever looseth any of these things for his sake shall have double in Heaven is sufficient to give us a Parallel of the State of the Godly and the Wicked who Lust after the Flesh but let us see what account the Apostle gives of a far better exchange the Saints have made of the choicest of Companions but we are come into Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem unto an innumerable Company of Angels into the general Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling Heb. 12.22 23 24. David was weary of the Society of wicked Men wo is me that I dwell in Mesheck and Sojourn in the Tents of Cedar so when the Saints are sure that he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell with them they will freely part with the Company of Sinful Mortals Ps 120.5 The Lusts of the Eyes being the second part of the Worlds Inventory we shall examine it with the excellent discovery of the Saints Light
23. See the Marks Characters and Complexion of the Citizens of the New Jerusalem He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly and dispiseth the gain of oppression that shaketh his Hand from holding of Bribes that stoppeth his Ears from hearing of Blood that shutteth his Eyes from seeing of Evil he shall dwell on high his Habitation shall be the Munition of Rocks Is 33.15 Ps 15. These are they which came out of great Tribulation which have washed their Robes in the Blood of the Lamb no unclean thing can enter there without are Dogs and Swine Rev. 14.45 But we are come unto Mount Sion and to the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all things and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of Sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 to 25. The fourth thing relating to this State are the Manifold Priviledges belonging unto them within it which may be thus expressed First They within this Covenant are all Marked Sealed and Recorded with God Secondly They are under an everlasting Covenant with God in Jesus Christ Thirdly To them belong universal promises both in Spirituals and Temporals and under every exigent Fourthly All are united to God in Jesus Christ First They are all Marked Sealed and Inrolled with God as God Marked Cain to keep him from Mans Fury and Rage for the Murther of his Brother Abel when Cain was accursed with Gods displeasure for that Horrid Villany so God of his Love to the Saints Marks them with his own Image to keep them from the Destruction of Satan and Inrolls them in the Book of Life to be called by Name in the Resurrection Hurt not the Earth nor the Sea until we have Sealed the Servants of God in their Foreheads Is 4.3 Rev. 7.3 The Lord takes that care of his People that as he commanded by the Pass-over the Door-Posts of the Israelites to be sprinkled with Blood as the sign of his Peoples Habitation so he puts his Mark of Holiness in the Hearts of his own to distinguish them from the wicked who in their Conversation and Hearts have Wickedness and Sin the Mark of the Beast and Worship his Image he Writes on his People his Name of Righteousness and gives them for a Mark The white Stone and in it a New Name Rev. 14.9 by which white Stone or Holiness they are Distinguished from the Wicked in their Conversation and the New Name is a Badge of Honour and ground of inward Consolation to themselves Secondly The second advantage of this State is that they are under an everlasting Covenant with God Thirdly To this Covenant do belong universal promises both in Spirituals and Temporals The fourth and great Priviledge of this State is that Mystical and never enough admired Union of the Saints to God in Christ Jesus That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the World may believe that thou hast sent me Jo. 14.20 Ch. 17.21 As Life Eternal is the reward of Faith and Patience and as this Life Eternal is the great Prize at the end of our Christian Race and as we ought to use all Diligence to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling there is no greater Encouragement can be imagined for our help in this than the faith and due consideration that Believers are mystically united to God in Christ Jesus Although all the Creatures and Man especially are parts of God as coming out of the Mass of Gods Omnipotence yet Man is no Natural or Physical part of God so to speak Though Man be Gods by Creation and Man in Adam having fallen from God by breach of the Divine Law given to him God of his Infinite Wisdom and Goodness hath provided a remedy and mean to restore and unite lost man to himself and this Union is by the renewing of Mans Nature and changing it unto a Spiritual frame When we were dead in sins hath he quickned us together in Christ Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Jesus for he is our peace who hath made both one and broken down the middle Wall of Partition between us having in his Flesh abolished the enmity in the Laws Commandments contained in Ordinances for to make to himself of twain one new Man so making peace that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross having slain the enmity thereby Eph. 1.5 13 14 15. read all Thus by grafting the Soul on Christ by Faith is made a Spiritual Union with God whereby they receive all Spiritual Blessings by a Heavenly Communication from Christ as the Graft receiveth Sap Substance and made fruitful from the Stock into which it is grafted this mystical union of Believers between God and them consists principally in these four First In Unity of Spirit with God in Christ Jesus Secondly In unity of holiness Thirdly In unity of Love Fourthly In unity of Glory Of all which Believers are partakers with God in Christ Jesus First To be one in Spirit is to be one in Wisdom Knowledge and Purity of understanding now God is a Spirit and must be Worshiped in Spirit and Truth and though God made Man consisting of a Soul and Body and did illuminate him with knowledge and understanding though under a vail of restriction and as ambition and the concupisence of his Heart did deprive him of the advantage of his first state and the Wisdom of God intending to restore Man and place him in a surer Relation to wit that everlasting Covenant of Peace through the vail of Christ's Cross He hath to the renewed bestowed all Spiritual Light and Knowledge yet because we have this Heavenly Treasure in Earthy Vessels and the heavy clogs of our Carnal Bodies and infirmities of the Flesh hinder mortals even though renewed to behold and apprehend these Heavenly excellencies communicable under that Spiritual Union and Christ intending to have the Saints made fully perfect and capable of union with himself he prays the Father that they may be one with the Father as the Father and he is one I in them and thou in me that they may be perfect in one that is to be of one Spirit Wisdom and Understanding it cannot be supposed that Christs intention is that the Creature though first renewed and afterwards glorified should be elevated to that sublimity of perfection equal with the Father and himself but that their perfection should be in kind nature and purity of God and Christs perfection knowledge and wisdom especially in these three respects First In purity of Spirit and Spiritual mindedness Secondly In oneness and union of mind and will Thirdly In perfection of
contrived and fitted them for it for as Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God nor Corruption Incorruption so the Lord doth provide his Saints Spiritual and Incorruptible Bodies capable to receive these Spiritual Manifestations of his Glory and of Christ and all the Heavenly Host 1 Cor. 15. read all As this is an Eminent Instance of Eternal Happiness that Believers shall be Cloathed with Spiritual Bodies like that of Christs so it may Minister great Consolation to Afflicted Misers that the time doth not only hasten in which they shall be delivered from Misery but that also they shall have Bodies incapable of any misery The third Eminent instance of this Eternal Happiness is to be admitted into the Fellowship of Christ and all the Heavenly Host that they may be with me where I am Jo. 17.24 It is usual to Strangers to inquire into all the Magnificence of all Countries where they Travel the Queen of Sheba came to see the glory of Solomon Hezekiah shewed to the Ambassadour of the King of Babylon all his Glory Power and Wealth but what 's all the Earthly glory but Poppet shows to the glory of God which is above Human reach and as the greatest Honour Kings can give their Subjects is to admit them into their presence and constant Fellowship so this is the Chief Dignity of Saints that they are admitted into the immidiate presence of God and Christ and that not under a Cloud or Vail of the Flesh as Moses saw God in the Mount and as the Lord appeared in the Camp of Israel and at the Door of the Tabernacle but face to face to behold the fulness of his glory for when we are under the Clog of these Earthly Bodies we cannot behold the Majesty of God but when we are Clothed with these immortal Bodies we shall see as We are seen and know as we are known 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. And as the glory of God himself is sufficient for all admiration and Satisfaction so the sight of the glorious Host of Heaven cannot but be exceeding delightful to see the sufferers for Christ enjoy the reward of their Patience and Faith to him that overcometh will I grant to sit down with me on my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father on his Throne Rev. 3.21 These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes in the Blood of the Lamb therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him Day and Night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. 7.14 15. This is the patience of the Saints these are they that keep the Commandments and the Faith of Jesus these sing the Song of Moses Rev. 14.4 12 13. These are the Souls of those who were beheaded for the Name of Jesus and the Word of God Rev. 15. 3 4. ch 19.7 8 9. Rev. 20.4 These are they which were invited and prepared for the Wedding of the Lamb. See the Apostles Description of the Heavenly Society but ye are come unto Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the General Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of Sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. As it 's no small part of Eternal Happiness to be admitted into the immediate presence of God so is it to be continued there to all Eternity The greatest favourites have fallen Haman was Hanged and Achitophel Hang'd himself because his Court fell but the Favour of God is for ever he that abideth in the Will of God shall indure for ever 1 Jo. 2.17 his People are all Sealed and Marked they are made Pillars of the Temple of God have his Name on them and can go out no more they are before the Lord Day and Night Rev. 3.12 and dwells with him they are Heirs of all things and can never fall from the Favour of God Rev. 21.7 Fifthly As the Saints of God are Eternally in his presence and so confirmed in their Happy State that they cannot fail so they have all after Pain Sorrow Grief and Trouble wiped off and secured from it they shall Hunger no more nor Thirst any more there shall no Sun light on them nor any Heat for the Lamb shall feed them and lead them unto living Fountains of Water and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death nor Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any pain for the former things are passed away This is the Portion of Believers in their Eternally Blessed Estate of all which these improvements may be made First Compare Man in his Estate of Nature and Misery with him in his Estate of Grace and Glory Secondly Believe the promises to Believers Thirdly Be Comforted and rejoyce in the Faith of Salvation promised in the Gospel First Man in his best Estate is altogether Vanity Ecl. 2.11 ch 13. ch 4. ch 5.12 17. Secondly In Relation to Corruption his thoughts are impure all his Thoughts and Imaginations Evil and only Evil continually Gen. 6.15 Mat. 15.19 Thirdly As to performances all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags and Menstruous Garments the whole Head sick the whole Heart faint Is 1.5 6. ch 64.6 Fourthly Heart Deceitful a Body of Death full of all Evil Jer. 17.9 Rom. 7.18 Fifthly Darkness without Light or knowledge of God and his truth or the Redeemer Tit. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.9 Eph. 2.1 2 3 11 12. ch 5.8 This being the Picture of Man in Nature without Grace Let us view him in Christ and renewed First All glorious within Holiness to the Lord Heir of all things all things yours Rev. 21.7 Rom. 8.32 Secondly Made sure a Pillar in the Temple of God go out no more hath Gods Name and City on him his Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 3.12 ch 7.15 16 17. Thirdly Continually in Gods presence God Dwells with them Rev. 3.21 Fourthly Crown'd with Everlasting Happiness and Glory no more Sorrow nor Pain the former things are past away Rev. 21.3 to 8. Secondly Believe Gods promises and rejoyce in them First Is Man lost by Nature and the Heir of Wrath and hath Christ dyed for sinners Eph. 2.3 Rom. 5.6 7 8. Secondly Hath God promised Redemption by his Blood and Eternal Life on Faith in him Jo. 3.16 17 18. Rom. 5.9 Thirdly Hath he said in vain seek ye my Face and live Is 45.19 20. Fourthly Is he in Compliment who is he that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light let him Trust in the Name of the Lord and stay on his God Is 50.10 Fifthly Are his professions of Love and Care a dry and only Complimentive and not Real Is 49.15
Heavens for us 1 Pet 1.3 4. This is that Treasure laid up where Moth consumeth not nor Thieves can purloyn this is a State where no change case or Circumstance of time or things can alter for I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8.38 39. Thirdly this State is a State of Compleat Happiness we have formerly seen the emptiness of all Human and Temporary Enjoyments That therein Happiness cannot be expected from the uncertainty and vexatiousness even under the Enjoyments thereof but here in this State is fulness of Joy and â—â—easures for evermore he that spared not his own Son but freely gave him up for us all how shall he not also with him freely give us all things Rom. 8 32. Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land wasting nor destruction within thy Borders but thou shalt call thy Walls Salvation and thy Gates Praise the Sun shall no more be thy Light by Day neither for Darkness shall the Moon give the light but the Lord shall be to thee an Everlasting Light and thy God thy Glory thy Sun shall no more go down nor thy Moon withdraw it self for the Lord shall be thy Everlasting Light and thy God thy Glory Is 60.19 20. they shall Hunger no more neither Thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heat and the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and lead them to living Fountains of Waters and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes Rev. 7.14 15 16 17. Chap. 2 3 4. We are come unto Mount-Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels and to the general Assembly of the First-Born which are written in the Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. Cbap. 3. The Seventh and great end Christ hath in Chastising his People is that which is the great end of the Gospel which is to raise Mens Hearts up to and fix their desires on that great prize of Salvation and Eternal Life as all Actions of Men have their Scope at which they chiefly Level this is the chief thing and ought principally to be driven at for these Reasons First this Great Salvation is for Gods Glory Secondly It is of all things most Profitable therefore most desirable Thirdly It hath the greatest Encouragements attending it Fourthly The Prize contended for is unvaluable First by Mans Salvation ariseth to God great Glory for as Christ is the Alpha and Omega and First-Born of his Brethren and though Originally perfect in himself and Glorious without Addition from Creatures being the express Image of his Person in whom the God-Head dwells bodily by whom all things were made and for him and to his own Glory and all things upheld by him his great goodness is such that he promotes Mans Happiness and sets it before him as his own Glory gave himself to Death for Man and made himself the Captain of that great Salvation by enduring all the Indignities of Human Contempt and his Fathers Wrath by personating Man and taking the Chastisements of his Sins upon him and this he proposeth as his Glory looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the Glory that was set before him endured the Cross dispising the shame and is set down at the Right Hand of God Heb. 12.2 As I live saith the Lord I desire not the Death of a Sinner but rather that he should Repent and live this being not only our Interest but Christs Glory how much and chiefly should we be concerned to promote it Secondly this is Mans most profitable concern all Men Level their Designs and Actions to the most Advantageous Interest and this of Eternal Life according to Christs Advice is most profitable What hath a Man profited if he gain the whole World thou Fool this Night thy Soul shall be taken from thee then whose shall these things be that thou hast wherefore do ye spend Money for that which is not Bread and Labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me and eat that which is good and let your Soul delight in Fatness Luke 12 16. to 21. Is 55.2 Thirdly As this is most Advantagious so it is that in which most encouragement of help and assistance is offered and promised The whole Book of the Holy Writ is full of the great promises of Encouragement and Assistance to the People of God in their pursuit of this great Salvation yea it is Christs great desire that all Men should be saved How often would I have gathered thee as a Hen gathereth her Brood under her Wings Luke 13.34 Is it not and hath it not been the Coursâ— and Care of Christ all the Prophets and Apostles to gather and bring Men to the Kingdom of God Christ made a purchase of Sinners but on his own Expences he is that kind Samaritan who Helps Cures Supplies and Recovers when other helps fail when Priests Levites and others pass by without Compassion or Relief he it is who of his own good will brings Deliverance as we see in the often repeated Scriptures Luke 10.10 to 37. Eze. 16. to 9. When we were without strength yea Enemies and Sinners Christ dyed for us so great is Christs Love to Sinners that nothing can stop the Current of his Mercy from them Rom. 5. to 11. First the Multitude of Sins do it not I have blotted out as a Cloud thy Transgressions and as a thick Cloud thy Sins return unto me for I have Redeemed thee Isa 44.22 Secondly the greatness of Sins cannot hinder his Love though your Sins be as Scarlet I will make them white as Snow though they be red like Crimson I will make them as Wooll Is 1.18 Let the Wicked forsake his way and the Unrighteous Man his Thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have Mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly Pardon for as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my Thoughts higher than your Thoughts Is 55.7 8 9. Thirdly Cloudiness and Darkness of Condition cannot do it who is amongst you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the Voice of his Servant that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Is 50 10. Come my People enter into your Chambers shut the Doors about thee hide thy self for a Moment until the Indignation be over-past Isa 26.20 I will go and return to my place untill they acknowledge their offences and
Gen. 17.7 And that Prophet promised to Moses and I will raise them up a Prophet amongst their Brethren like unto thee and I will put my words into his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him Deut. 18.18 And he is that Prophet of whom the Apostle speaketh Of this Mans Seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Jesus Act. 13.22 And this is that rod out of the Stem of Jesse on whom the Spirit of the Lord doth rest The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the fear of the Lord he shall not judge after the sight of his Eyes nor reprove after the hearing of his Ears but with Righteousness shall he judge the Poor and Reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth and shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and with the breath of his Lips shall he slay the Wicked and righteousness shall be the Girdle of his Loyns and Faithfulness the Girdle of his Reins Isa 11. to 11. And this is that Prophet who hath received the Spirit in full The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath appointed me to Preach good tidings to the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to the captive and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God and to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them Beauty for Ashes the Oil of Joy for Mourning the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness Isa 61. to 4. He is the only true Sheepheard of the Sheep and entreth in at the Door to whom it is opened and the Sheep hear his voice and follow him he knoweth his Sheep calleth them by their Names and leads them into the true and good Pastures John 10. to 6. He is the infallible guide and teacher He is the Way the Truth the Light and Life and no Man cometh unto the Father but by him Joh. 14.6 He is the only true light that lightneth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.6 This then being the first step of Christs Mediation between God and Man to be their Teacher to instruct them their duty towards God by his infallible Spirit this should lead us again with the Apostle to cry out O the depth and infinite dimensions of the Love and Wisdom of God to sinners If we consider Mans Fall from his credulity in believing the lying suggestions of a fallen Angel in the Mouth of a Serpent and not believing of God and that to avoid mans splitting on this Rock God sends his infallible Spirit of Truth to guide them in all Truth and bring them under the Law of the Spirit by Regeneration and a new Life in Christ Jesus by putting his Spirit in them to make them walk in the Spirit and no more in the unprofitable course of this World in the Flesh and Lusts thereof and endoweth them with the Wisdom and Graces of his Spirit to perform to God new obedience as shall be shewen in examining of the Christian Duties as the conditions of this Covenant on Mans part how much should the consideration of this mystery of Love and Wisdom lead our anxious desires after attaining unto a large stock of this enriching and confirming Grace and to be endowed with the knowledge of the love of God in Christ Jesus by which poor Believers are not only retrieved from Sin and Wrath but are kept sure in Christs Hand from falling away from God as under the first Covenant John 17.6 to 13. The second branch of Christs Mediatory Office is to be a Priest and the Office of a Priest being to offer up Sacrifice for Sinners we shall consider how this agreeth to Christ and is performed by him the holy Apostle tells us That he that desireth the Office of a Bishop or Teacher desireth a good work 1 Tim. 3.1 And he also tells us that it is so honourable and sacred that no man taketh it to himself but he that is called thereunto as was Aaron Heb. 5.4 And therefore God in displeasure with Uzziah the great King of Israel for intruding into the Priests Office struck him with Leprosy to his death 2 Chron. 26.18 to end But none can claim better or so good a Title to the Priesthood as our great high Priest Jesus Christ who took not that honour to himself but it was given to him of his Father who said to him this day have I begotten thee and thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Heb. 5.5 Psalm 110.4 Isa 7.13 14 15 16. And although he was Heir of all things and by whom the World was made and being the brightness of the Fathers glory and express Image of his person he was annointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Heb. 1.2 3 9. And made the High Priest by the Council of Heaven for Mans Eternal Salvation and as he had this his call immediately from Heaven so he hath it with more transcendent eminency than other Priests in many considerations First The holy Apostle Paul tells us that all Priests taken from amongst Men are compassed about with Infirmities and Sins and as in compassion to others so also for their own as well as for the sins of others they are to offer up Sacrifices Heb. 5.1 2 3. ch 7.23 28. chap. 9.7 but this our great High Priest though in Compassion to us he took our nature upon him and was subject to natural Infirmities and in the Flesh was tempted with like Infirmities to succour such as were tempted yet without sin Heb. 2.16 17 18. chap. 4.15 However he is essentially holy for such an High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher than the Heavens who needeth not daily as these High Priests to offer up Sacrifice first for his own Sins and then for the People for this he did once when he offered up himself Heb. 7.26 27. Secondly All other Priests are made without an Oath but he with an Oath for those Priests were made without an Oath but this with an Oath by him that said to him the Lord Swore and will not Repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck and hath an unchangeable Priesthood Hebrews 7.21 24. Thirdly Other Priests are for a time his Priesthood is for ever and unchangeable as in the foregoing Scripture They were many Priests and not suffered to continue because of death but this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them for the Law maketh High Priests which have Infirmities but the word of the Oath